Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during or after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and that his bipolar disorder is unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has found no evidence of a current diagnosis of seizure disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection based on lack of a current disability. The psychiatric issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of his in-service deployment and VA examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining in-service mental health records and private treatment records from Dr. Merritt, as these records are relevant to determining whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chest scars, heart damage, lung damage, esophageal damage, and infertility are all found to be related to her service-connected NHL. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be secondary to the NHL.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating prior to August 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or heart condition. The claim for neuropathy is denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to attempt to locate a police report from the motor vehicle accident of May 15, 1982. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to his military service, while his anxiety disorder is not. Service connection is granted for bipolar disorder but denied for anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and assigned a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and bipolar disorders, is not warranted. Service treatment records do not document any psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses during active duty. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are diagnosed post-service and the VA examiner found no nexus to his in-service alcoholism. For the right hand and elbow neuropathy claims, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. However, service connection for residuals of a right thumb laceration and a right elbow scar is granted with respective 10% ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issues of service connection for bipolar disorder, alcoholism, PTSD, and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are inextricably intertwined with accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to service or his service-connected bipolar disorder.